Palas

6. "Did you just diss me?"

After my shower I sit on the balcony, turned to the sea instead of Harry’s place. I eat a bowl of cereal and make a mental note to find a grocery store after I’m done with work. All the food and drinks I used the last two days are from Rosie. I also want to buy some dog food because I have a feeling that Nothing will return. I hope that Rosie returns also, she hasn’t slept at home last night.

Today I don't have to go to the beach instead I will go to the hospital in Palas. I have heard that with public transportation it is easy to visit. I will learn some basic first aid, which I’m glad for. I like to be as prepared as possible.

At eight I leave the room and lock it in hopes that Rosie has a key. I walk down to the boulevard not knowing another way to get to the bus stop. I know it is at the main street and from what I remember that's behind the bars. Just when I am about to turn into an alley I spot Harry and Rosie stumbling on stairs from the beach to the boulevard.

Rosie's eyes fall on me and she waves while she wraps her other arm around Harry's waist. He looks down to her arm before he looks up to me. He doesn't wave or smiles, but only looks at me. I wave back to them before I hide in the alley. Rosie is stupid to even try with Harry. He told me yesterday that he wouldn't sleep with her again. For some reason I really hope he doesn't. For Rosie’s sake. Of course.

Luckily my sense of direction is right when I walk right to the bus stop. The streets are already busy and buzzing with cars and scooters riding like idiots. My eye lands on a grocery shop and I think about checking it out before I take the bus. I still have plenty of time, but when the bus arrives I decide to take this one. It is best to be early and make a good impression.

“Good morning,” I greet the bus chauffeur.

The middle aged man is wearing a thick sweater and I look down to my own assemble. I’m in about half the fabric of his outfit. The sun was already burning on my skin when I sat on the balcony. Promising a hot day. I thank the lord for air con as I take a seat in the front after I pay only fifty euro cents.

“Could you tell me when we arrive at Palas Hospital?” I ask the chauffeur, realising there’s no sort of system here to see where we’re going. Maybe that’s why the ride is so cheap.

“I’ll tell you.” He smiles and I lounge back in my chair relieved that everything is going good so far.

I glance at my phone every once in a while hoping to see a text from James. I hate this app that he installed because it shows me that he has been online and read my message. He just simply choose not to respond and that bothers me.

Instead of dwelling on James’s absence, I try to focus on the scenery outside. The main street seems endless and I longingly look to the sea every time it pops up. Maybe I can go for a swim once I am back. It is one of the few, if not only thing, I like to do alone.

It is a big transition from the touristic part to the part that is inhabited by the people who live here all year round. I wonder if they like the tourist or despise them.

The houses grow bigger the deeper we ride into the city. I realise this is the real center of the town and where before I thought that was the main street. I spot an actual Lidl that reminds me of home. And there are more stores that look familiar. Not shops full with handmade bowls or postcards, but real supermarkets. The ones I worked in. A small smile grows on my face when I think of the beautiful beach where I work now. At least if I past this test today.

From the little information I gathered before I came here, I learned that I will spend two days in the hospital. The first day to get training from the paramedics and the second to have a test that I have to pass. Then I’ll have another day to train with the lifeguards at a swimming pool and beach. Saturday will be nerve-racking as I will have my final exam which is a swimming test in the pool judged on your speed and endurance.